Government

Construction in Watertown Square Parking Lot Will Stretch into December

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The work on the municipal parking lot in Watertown Square, which currently has exposed cavernous holes, will not be completed on time, and will stretch at least a week past Thanksgiving. The work will improve stormwater drainage in the area along Spring Street near the municipal parking lot behind CVS, said Town Engineer Matthew Shuman. “The work was scheduled to be completed by Thanksgiving, but the contractor is a little behind schedule due to some unforeseen conditions, including an old building foundation,” said Shuman. “The work is now scheduled to be complete by December 5.” The parking lot remains open, but the amount of parking has been reduced.

Around Town

The Residence at Watertown Square Invites Residents to Street Festival

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The public is invited to the Watertown Square Street Festival hosted by The Residence at Watertown Square on Sept. 10 from 2-4 p.m. at The Residence, 20 Summer St., Watertown. Lynn Lolicoeur and The Pulse will be performing their mix of jazz and pop rock music live at the festival. Bring your family for face painting, balloon art, henna tattoos a petting zoo and more! Street food and cold beverages will be available.

Government

Old Waterway Discovered Running Under Watertown Square

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While doing some sewer work in the area of Watertown Square, the Department of Public Works discovered a forgotten culvert running right through the town’s biggest intersection. About 18-feet under the roadway, the DPW found a culvert – a stone pipe – that was not on any of the town’s plans, said DPW Superintendent Gerald Mee. It is likely a stormwater pipe. The culvert runs north-south, from Charles River Road to Mt. Auburn Street.

Around Town

Huge Tree Limb Falls in Watertown Square Delta

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A large limb from an historic tree in Watertown Square broke off and fell on the Watertown Delta Sunday. 

The cause of the broken limb was not apparent to Public Works officials on Sunday afternoon, said DPW Superintendent Gerald Mee. “In the middle of a beautiful day, it just dropped,” Mee said. The limb is lying on the large grassy area in Watertown Square known as the Delta, and does not pose a danger, so it will be removed Monday, according to Mee. The limb, which is at least 40 feet in length, is one of the trees that have lights on and light up during the holiday season. Mee said the tree has been around “a long time.”

Business

New Assisted Living Center Opens in Watertown Square

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More than 200 people gathered at The Residence at Watertown Square Wednesday evening to celebrate the Grand Opening of Watertown’s newest assisted living and memory care community for seniors.  Watertown-area officials and residents, staff associates, Watertown Square community residents and LCB Senior Living staff joined in celebration, culminating in a ribbon-cutting ceremony, according to the announcement from LCB Senior Living. The Residence at Watertown Square, located at the corner of Spring and Summer streets, is a unique community, offering seniors a unique combination of sophisticated city living and access to the area’s many resources and attractions. The community includes 90 Independent, Assisted and Memory Care Living apartments. Independent Living residents at the community will have their own apartment with kitchenette and bath, along with the peace of mind of 24-hour security, three gourmet meals prepared and served restaurant style on-site, available laundry and cleaning services, a full activities program, building and grounds maintenance, and a host of optional services. Assisted Living residents will have all of the above, along with assistance with the activities of daily living, including dressing, bathing medication reminders, and other services.

Around Town

Watertown Square Lighting Up for Autism Awareness April 2

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Check out the lights on the “delta” in Watertown Square Thursday night when they light up in honor of World Autism Awareness Day. The Watertown Autism Family Support Group will also have a special display on the grassy area at the major intersection in the center of town. The group released the following information:
Each April 2, the international autism community, in commemoration of the United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day, celebrates Light It Up Blue. Light It Up Blue is a unique global initiative that kicks-off Autism Awareness Month and helps raise awareness about autism. In honor of this historic day, many iconic landmarks, hotels, sporting venues, concert halls, museums, bridges and retail stores are among the thousands of buildings lit blue to raise autism awareness.

Around Town

Celebration for Mural that Adorns History-Filled Building

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What used to be a dingy wall overlooking a small parking lot, now beams with color from a mural painted by Watertown teens over the summer. On Sunday, Sept. 21, a group came to dedicate “Tapestry of Cultures,” which is on the side of the a building along Baptist Walk. Alan Dana, whose grandfather and great uncle bought the building in the 1910s, said the mural is a big improvement. “It was a blank wall and it had some graffiti,” Dana said.

Entertainment

Students Bring Watertown Square Wall to Life With New Mural

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A wall that until recently had graffiti on it now has a new coat of paint – one which captures the fabric of the Watertown community. The mural project is the second collaboration between Roxbury artist Gregg Bernstein and students from Watertown High School’s art program. Last year, students put up a mural on the wall along the Community Path between Whites and Waverley avenues (see more here). The project is different in many ways from the one painted last year. Last year, the mural mural was on a quiet path and focused on places and life around Watertown.